Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Allons Roulee' bike ride rolls this weekend

Cyclists will take to roads throughout St. Landry Parish this weekend, part of the Allons Roulee’ Bike Ride scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17, beginning at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas. Over 140 participants have signed up for the inaugural ride which was previously scheduled for Sept. 3, but moved due to Tropical Storm Lee. Two routes, 25 and 50 miles, will offer riders scenic landscapes including moss-draped oaks, winding bayous, pastures with grazing cattle, prairie lands and former Native American tribal lands.

The ride, which rolls from Opelousas, takes riders through towns such as Washington, Grand Coteau, Leonville and Arnaudville. Sag stops for the bike ride will be located at the new St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, just off I-49 at exit 23.

Start times are 7 a.m. for the 50-mile and 8 a.m. for the 25-mile ride. Participants can pre-register for the event. The event is geared to riders 16 and older and various cycling levels. After the ride participants can feast on boudin and refreshments hosted by Opelousas Main Street Inc. and St. Landry Parish Krewe de Velo, a local cycling group in St. Landry Parish.

Allons Roulee’ is presented by St. Landry Parish Krewe de Velo,’ with support by LHC Group, Opelousas Main Street, Inc., Cleco, Capital Cyclery, Morninghveg & Castille Jewelers, Clerk of Court Charlie Jagneaux, Ventura Foods, Alon USA, Hole Pluggers, Washington State Bank, American Bank, St. Landry Bank, Opelousas Police Dept., Williams Progressive, Lastrape’s Nursery, and St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission as well as assistance St. Landry Parish Government and local law officials.

In the spring of 2009, a handful of indoor cycling enthusiasts from St. Landry Parish set out on a course to give road cycling a try. Some six months later, the same group had grown from less than a dozen to over 30 riders. Two years later, that number is still growing strong with organized rides taking place on early Sunday mornings and frequently on Saturdays.

For more information about weekend ride times and about Allons Roulee,’ contact Jennifer at jenncas@bellsouth.net or 337-945-4969.